Crossover for crane bridges



Aug. 15, 1944. F. c. HARRIS 2,355,863

I CROSSOVER FOR CRANE BRIDGES Filed March 8, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. H H H PEA/VA C- HARE/S BYWv-WMI 1944- F. c. HARRIS CROSSOVER FOR CRANE BRIDGES Fil d March 8, i943 s Sheets-Sheet 2 lilll'l'livl' I:

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PEA/VA C- HARE/S 61% WM A froze/May's 944. F. C. HARRIS 2,355,8

CROSSOVER FOR CRANE BRIDGES Filed March 8, 1943 J 3 Sheets-Sheet; 5

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Patented Aug. 15, 1944 CROSSOVER FOR CRANE BRIDGES Frank C. Harris, Bay Village, Ohio, assignor to The American MonoRail Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 8, 1943, Serial No. 478,387

14 Claims.

This invention relates to overhead conveyor systems and more particularly to improvements in crossover bridges for overhead cranes.

In material handling equipment for manufacturing plants overhead tracks are often employed from which crane bridges are suspended. The crane bridges in turn support carriers that are adapted to carry loads. In factory installations it is common practice to install the tracks running longitudinally of the plant; and very often in the case of wide buildings there will be two sets of such tracks or crane runways extending parallel to each other and on opposite sides of a line of columns of the building. Each set of tracks will enable the cranes to service one side of the building. In such systems it frequently becomes desirable to move the carrier from one set of tracks on one side of the building to the other set of tracks on the other side of the building; this is particularly true when it is desirable to move a load in a direction transversely across the building. Usually these installations include crane bridges which are supported from end trucks disposed for travel over the longitudinally extending tracks and the bridge itself has a track or tracks upon which a carrier or other crane may travel. The bridge provides for movement of the crane longitudinally of the building (it being contemplated that the tracks extend longitudinally of the building) and the carrier in turn may move on the bridge which provides for movement of the load transversely relative to the tracks, or across the building. When the building is large there may be several crane bridges on each set of tracks, but for the purpose of this application there will only be considered as one crane bridge for each set of tracks. Very often it becomes desirable to move a carrier or crane from one crane bridge on a set of tracks on one side of the building to another crane bridge disposed on the other set of tracks on the other side of the building. In small buildings this does not present a too serious problem since it is only necessary to construct crossover tracks so that the crane bridges can be moved into alignment with such crossovers and interlocked after which .ie carrier may readily be moved across to the other bridge. This problem becomes more difiicult, however, in large buildings particularly where it is necessary to have supporting columns for the roof disposed in the center of the building between the two sets of crane runways.

One of the prior methods of solving this problem was to provide at spaced points throughout the building crossover bridges which comprised permanent sets of crossover tracks disposed at spaced intervals, between the two sets of crane runways. In this case the cranes must be moved into alignment with the crossovers and each crane interlocked therewith, after which the carrier could be moved from One crane bridge via the crossover to the other crane bridge.

The main disadvantage of this was the fact that the crossover was not always at a convenient place. Hence it was necessary to move both crane bridges a distance to bring them into alignment with a certain crossover track. Of course, more crossovers could be used but this resulted in a considerable increase in installation expense. Finally it took time to line up the two cranes with a certain crossover,

By my present invention I have provided a means where the fixed crossovers are entirely eliminated. In this case all that is necessary is to line up the two crane bridges with each other and the transfer of the carrier can be made directly between the bridges without the use of permanent or fixed crossover stations. This has the considerable advantage in that the crossover can be effected at any place between the columns and it is not necessary to move the cranes from one end of the building to the other to effect a crossover. This results in a considerable saving of time and electricity and also results in a material saving in initial installation expense and investment.

In some cases it is also desirable to connect the two crane bridges together and allow them to operate in unison as a single crane bridge. Obviously, this could not be done where the fixed crossovers were in use but can be accomplished with my improved crossovers.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide an improved crossover bridge for cranes.

It is another object of my invention to eliminate the conventional type of fixed crossover bridge.

It is another object of my invention to provide a crossover bridge whereby the crossover between tracks may be effected at any point where there are no interfering columns.

It is another object to provide a bridge which carries its own crossover tracks that may be extended and connected to another bridge and on occasion to operate both bridges as a single unit.

Still other objects of the invention and the invention itself will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof which is illustrated by the accompanying drawings and wherein;

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a conveyor installation showing two double bridge cranes in alignment ready for the carrier to efiect a crossover.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a double bridge crane showing the same in alignment with and connected by my improved crossover to another bridge crane, the latter bridge crane being shown in fragment;

Fig, 3 is an end elevational View of a double.

bridge crane with a carrier disposed thereon taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of one of the crossover elements taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of crossover for a single bridge crane; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings throughout which like parts have been designated by like reference characters and particularly to Fig. 1, which illustrates diagrammatically the track layout for a building, the side walls of the building are indi-' cated at I no end walls being shown. Columns 2, which may comprise vertically extending I beams, are disposed'at spaced intervals along the walls as is common practice, to afford a support for the roof and/or overhead track structure. These columns ordinarily comprise a part of the regular superstructure for the building. In this case there is also illustrated center supporting columns 3 which are shown as being spaced closer to one side of the building than the other. It should be understood that these columns may be centrally spaced between the sides of the building, the spacing being mainly dependent on the width of the building. Two sets of tracks or crane runways are provided for serving the buildings; one set includes three tracks, indicated at 4, which extend longitudinally of the building between the columns I and 3 on one side; the other set com-- prises two tracks 5 disposed between the columns 3 and 2 on the other side of the building. These tracks are suspended from the overhead building structure in a manner well known to those versed in the art and are provided with track flanges upon which the trolley wheels of the trucks may run.

In the building illustrated in Fig. 1, it will be noted that there are no columns 3 to the left and in the mid portion of the building, this portion of the building being provided with roof trusses that span the building between the outside walls. In an area of this character it would be convenient to make a crossover at any point or to operate the two cranes together as a single unit.

On the tracks 4, I have illustrated diagrammatically, at 6, a six-truck crane and on the tracks 5, at I, a four-truck crane; the six-truck crane is arranged to travel longitudinally of the building on the three tracks and the four-truck crane likewise on the two tracks.

The bridge cranes may be of conventional construction, except for certain modifications and additions hereinafter pointed out. In Fig. 2, I have shown a detailed plan view of the bridge crane I, which operates on the tracks 5, and with the crossover bridge sections swung out and interlocked with the end of the bridge crane 6 which operates upon the three tracks 4.

The crane bridge, which in this instance is commonly known as a double bridge crane includes two pairs of trucks l0, each of which is provided with pairs of trolley wheels H from which are suspended yokes 12 which in turn support short load bars l3 (Fig, 3). The short load bars l3 in turn carry the truck frame bars [5. The trolley wheels are adapted to ride on track flanges on the opposite sides of the tracks 5. Two pairs of these trucks are provided, one pair for each end of the bridge crane. In the case of the crane 6 three pairs of trucks are provided. The trucks on the opposite tracks are connected to beams or bridges [6 which constitute the side frames for the bridge. The bridges I6 are secured in parallel relation to each other by angularly disposed frame members or web bracing l'!. The bottom portions of the bridges I6 are provided with tracks l8 which are suspended from the bottoms of the beams l6 and are provided with track flanges upon which the trolleys of the carrier may travel.

It will thus be seen that the crane bridge is movable longitudinally of the building on the tracks 5 while the track member l8 carried by the crane bridge permit the carrier to be moved thereon relative to the tracks 5.

The carrier may include a frame l9 which is carried by trucks 2B. The trucks 20 are provided with trolley wheels 2! which are disposed on the track flanges E8 of the track members carried by the bridge members IS. The carrier may also be provided with a cab 24, in which the operator may be seated, and have access to the controls 26. Through the controls he may operate either the crane bridge on the track 5 or the carrier itself may be moved on the tracks [8, between the ends of the crane bridge.

The usual lifting hook 21 and its associated hoisting mechanism 28 is provided for connection to and lifting the loads to be moved.

Since the invention is more particularly concerned with the crossover mechanism for the crane, no further description of the operation of the lifting mechanism or the manner in which the carrier or bridges are driven will be included herein. Suihce to say that they are preferably electrically operated in the usual manner.

As previously stated, it is desirable sometimes to move the carrier from the track on one crane bridge to the track on another crane bridge. In this respect it is desirable to provide auxiliary tracks carr ed by one of the crane bridges that may be swung out and interlocked with the tracks on the other crane bridge to thus provide a continuous track from one crane bridge to the other. In accomplishing this object I provide on one or the other of the crane bridges, in this instance the two-track bridge, with track memher which may be swung out and interlocked with th other bridge and thus enable a crossing of the carrier to be made over this temporary structure from one crane bridge to the other. This crossover may be effected at any place in the building where there is clearanc between the supporting pillars. Furthermore, when the crossover is out and interlocked the two bridge may be operated as a single unit in those places wh re there are no interfering columns.

In Fig. 2 this mechanism is shown swung out and into interlocked position, and Fig. 4 shows side elevational view of the same in interlocked position.

As best shown in Fig. 4 the swing out members 3:) are provided with bottom track flanges designed to extend in alignment with track flanges it on the bridge members. Each of the members 36 is hingedly secured to the bridge It by means of a bracket 33 that is riveted to the top of the member 30. and is provided with an overhanging end 34. that carries a pintle 35which is rotatably journalled in a socket 36' carried by the bridge IS. The corners of the bridge member l6 facing each other are cut away as indicated at 31 to permit the brackets 33 to swing freely in an are together with the swing out members 30 about the end of the bridge members. The extremities of the members 30 are each provided with an interlock mechanism 32 which engages with the cooperating mechanism on the end of the other bridge to lock the swing-out member securely in connection with the tracks of the other crane bridge when they are xtended. This interlock mechanism may tak the form of that disclosed in Patent No. 2,276,272 to F. C. Harris et al. of March 17, 1942.

Safety means is provided to prevent the carrier from accidentally leaving the tracks it when the crossover 35 is not swung out. In Figs. 4 and 7 I have shown such a mechanism which includes a bar 38 which is united to the web of the member 30 and is provided with an extension 38a that extends opposite a window 39 formed in the web of the track member [8. This end 38a is bent outward at 381 to form a loop. A short piece 83 also formed with a complementary loo-p is-riveted to the end 38a (Fig. 7), the parts being disposed about a pin 3! which is secured in the web, and extend through the window 89. It will thus be seen that when. the member 30 is swung the end 38a swings about the pivot 8i and extends to one sid of the web of the track in the path of the trolley wheel.

The mechanism for swinging out the crossover members it is best illustrated in Figs. 2 and and includes a housing it which is disposed intermediate and parallel to the bridge frame mem bars 55. This housing as best shown in Fig. 5 is fabricated from a pair of channel members M which are secured together in spaced relation by top and bottom pieces 4'? and 43 (Fig. 5). The housing is supported by the bridge frame secured at an intermediat point to the end cross member ii of the web bracing of the bridges and its inner end to the diagonal brace member ii. The end of the housing extends beyond the member 8'! flush with the end of the bridge and is braced. by members M secured between gusset plates on the end of th housing and the cross member ll. A pair of longitudinally extending ways 55 are secured to the under side of the housing by bolts 4-1, which extend upward through the ways, bottom plate and through the flanges of the channel forming the sides of the housing into the interior of the housing where they are secured by nuts 88.

A slide bar 5% is provided, being reciprocally journalled in the ways 48, and has countersunk in its upper surface a gear rack 51 It is adapted to be moved longitudinally in the ways by a spur gear 53 which is carried on a shaft '55 that is journalled in bearings 55 on the side of the channel members and is provided with the teeth which are in mesh with the teeth of the gear rack 5!.

The shaft 5 3 extends through the bearings 55, and one end is connected by a coupling 64 to a shaft 55 which extends over to and is driven by a motor '56 disposed on the top of th bridge member it. The motor is connected to the shaft by a reduction gearing, disposed in the housing 6'! and through a coupling 68.

The slide bar is provided with a gusset plate 51 held in spaced relation to the guide bar by (ill a spacer plate 58, the gusset plate being provided with ears 59 in which are supported upstandin pins 69 to which are pivotally nected rods 6 l.

The other ends of the rod 6| are pivotally connected at 52 to brackets 63 on the swing out the end of the crane bridge and ample clearance space is provided for the-bridges past the pillars 3.

When it is desired to shift the carrier ofi of one bridge onto the other, the two bridges B and i are aligned with each other at some place between or away from the columns 3.

The motor 6% is then energized which drives the shaft 55 and the gear 53 causing the slide bar 5! to be moved outward toward the other crane bridge; when the slide bar moves outward in the housing the connecting rods 5| swing the crossover members outward, the various parts taking the position shown by the full lines on Fig. 2, at which time the crossovers interlock with the ends of the other crane bridge with their various track sections in alignment. The carrier may then be moved across the crossover onto the other bridge.

It should also be noted that when the two bridges are interlocked and are at a place where there are no intermediate columns, as at the left as viewed in Fig. 1, that the two crane bridges may be operated as a unit.

It will thus be seen that in this manner, a crossover can be effected for the carrier at any one of a number of places throughout the length of the building; and that it is unnecessary to provide permanent crossovers, thus saving the expense that would be entailed by supplying a large number of crossovers in buildings of extreme length.

After the crossover is eiiected the crossover members may be returned to their folded position and the other crane bridge together with carrier is then free to move independently on the tracks 4 longitudinally on the other side of the building.

Although I have shown the device as being adapted to a double bridge crane, I also contemplate its operation with a single bridge crane. In this instance as illustrated in. Fig. 6 the single bridge would have only one bridge IS, and only one truck ii] for each end of the member. I therefore provide the single crossover i9 which i similar to the crossover 30 just described. In order to make the device more compact and retain within the limitations imposed by the single bridge I provide a gear quadrant 'H which is rigidly connected to the pintle I2 that supports the swinging member. A motor drive for the member is provided and constitutes a motor 14 having a worm and gear reduction disposed in the housing 15 at the end of the motor and which supports and drives a spur gear 78 that is in mesh with the quadrant l I.

In this case operation of the motor swings the single crossover from the outward position as shown to the inward position as shown by the dot dash lines in Fig. 6.

A similar locking mechanism is provided for interlocking the end of the crossover with the other crane bridge, which, it is assumed, will also be a single crane bridge.

It will thus be seen, that I have provided means carried by the crane bridges, whereby a crossover may be eifected for the carrier, and its hoisting mechanism, at any place throughout the building where clearance space is provided between the columns. The mechanism is so designed and placed that it does not interfere with the free travel of the bridges except when extended for efiecting a crossover. There will thus be a considerable saving of expense due to the elimination of the material used in the conventional crossover system and also in time and operating expense since a crossover may be effected any place.

Although I have described the invention in connection with crossover members which swing horizontally it is also within the purview of my invention to arrange to swing the crossover members vertically. This may be accomplished with substantially the same mechanism. In this case, however, it should be borne in mind that one of the limiting factors in the case of vertically swinging crossovers is head room. There must be sufficient head room in a case of this character otherwise the crossover members will interfere with the free travel of the crane bridge.

Furthermore, although I have described certain structures, such as the means for swinging out the crossover members as illustrated in Fig. 5, it is possible and will be apparent to those versed in the art to substitute or modify the structure but without departing from the spirit or scope of th invention.

Having thus described my invention I am aware that new and numerous departures may be made therefrom, but without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A crossover for a crane bridge comprising a main track member, an auxiliary track member hingedly carried by the main track member, means for swinging the auxiliary track member from a retracted to an extended position for engagement with the main track member of another crane.

2. A crossover for crane bridges comprising a main track member, an auxiliary track member hingedly carried by the main track member, means for swinging the auxiliary track member from a retracted to an extended position and interlocking means on the end of the auxiliary track member for engagement with the other bridge.

3. An apparatus of the class described including spaced crane bridges in longitudinal alignment, means for transporting a carrier from one bridge to the other including a crossover track swingably carried by one of said bridges, means for swinging said crossover out and into alignment with the other crane bridge to provide a continuous track from one bridge to the other.

4. An apparatus of the class described including a pair of spaced crane bridges in longitudinal alignment, means for transporting a carrier from one bridge to the other including a pair of crossover tracks swingably carried by one of said bridges, means for swinging said crossovers out and into alignment with the other crane bridge to provide continuous tracks from one bridge to the other.

5. A mechanism for providing a crossover connection between a pair of spaced crane bridges, comprising swingable track sections carried by one of the bridges, means for swinging said track sections into engagement with the other bridge comprising a motor drive, a spur gear driven by said motor and a rack driven by said spur gear, said rack being connected to said track sections and being reciprocable to swing the track sections out for connection with the other bridge or retract them to provide for independent movement of the bridge.

6. A crossover for crane bridges including tracks for a crane, crossover tracks hingedly connected to said first tracks and arranged to be swung into engagement with the tracks of another bridge, means for swinging said crossover tracks comprising a frame carried by said bridge, a slide member journalled in said frame, connecting rods connecting said slide member to said swingable tracks and means to slide said slide in said frame to move said tracks in and out of connection with the other crane bridge tracks.

'7. A crane bridge system comprising pairs of tracks extending in longitudinal spaced relation to each other, crane bridges disposed on each pair of tracks, a carrier movable on said bridge and means to permit moving of the carrier from one bridge to the other comprising a swingable track section carried by one of said bridges, said track section being of a length suflicient to bridge the gap between the crane bridges and arranged to engage the track of the other bridge when swung to its extended position; means for swinging said track including a driving motor, means connected to said swingable section and driven by said motor to swing said section outward into alignment with the track on the other bridge, and locking means for locking the free end of said swingable track section in place when it is in alignment with the other track.

8. A crossover for crane bridges comprising a track section, for connecting the bridges, pivotally carried by one of the bridges, a gear quadrant connected to said pivotal track section, a spur gear operatively connected to said quadrant and motor drive, means for operating said spur gear to move said quadrant and swing said track section.

9. In a crane bridge system having two or more pairs of tracks and crane bridges for movement on said tracks, said bridges having carrier tracks arranged to support a carrier for transverse movement relative to the crane bridge tracks, a crossover for said carrier from one crane bridge to the other comprising a pair of swingable crane bridge track sections pivotally carried at the end of one crane bridge, said sections arranged to be folded and to unfold in prolongation of said carrier tracks on one crane bridge into engagement with the tracks on the other crane bridge, means for effecting said swinging movement comprising a slide bar, connecting rods connecting said slide bar to said swingable sections, means to reciprocate said slid bar comprising a gear rack on the slide bar, a spur gear disposed in operative engagement with said gear rack and a motor drive for operating said spur gear.

10. A crossover for crane bridges having tracks for a carrier, comprising crossover tracks carried by one of said bridges and arranged to be moved into the space between the tracks of the two bridges, means for moving said crossover tracks into position comprising a frame carried by one of said bridges, a slidable member journalled in said frame, rods connecting said slide member to said crossover tracks and means to slide said slide in said frame to move said tracks in and out of alignment with the bridge tracks between said bridges.

11 A crane bridge system having pairs of tracks extending in longitudinal spaced relation to each other, crane bridges disposed on each pair of tracks and carrier tracks supported thereby, a carrier movable on said bridge carrier tracks, and means for moving the carrier from the tracks on one bridge to the tracks on the other bridge, comprising a track section carried by one of said bridges and being of a length sufficient to bridge the gap between the carrier tracks on the respective crane bridges and arranged to be moved into position between said tracks, means for moving said movable track sections including a motor, means driven by said motor and connected to said movable section to move said section outward into alignment between the tracks on the bridges, and locking means for locking the end of said track section in place when it is in alignment with the tracks.

12. A crossover for crane bridges including track section for connecting the bridges, pivot means for pivotally supporting said section carried by one of the bridges, and means to swing said track section comprising a gear quadrant connected to said pivot means, a spur gear enmeshed with said quadrant and motor drive means for rotating said spur gear to move said quadrant and swing said track section.

13. In a crane bridge system having two or more pairs of tracks and crane bridges disposed for movement on said tracks, said bridges having carrier tracks, a carrier disposed on said tracks and movable thereon transversely relative to the crane bridge tracks, a crossover for said carrier from the tracks on one of said crane bridges to the carrier tracks on the other crane bridge comprising a pair of swingable track sections pivotally carried at the end of one of the crane bridges, said sections arranged to be folded within the perimeter of said bridge and to be unfolded in prolongation of said carrier tracks into engagement with the carrier tracks on the other crane bridge, means for effecting said swinging movement of said swingable track section comprisin a housing, slideways carried by said housing, a slide bar disposed in said slideways, connecting rods connecting said slide bar to said swingable sections, means to reciprocate said slide bar including a gear rack carried by the slide bar, a spur gear disposed in operative engagement with said gear rack and a motor for operating said spur gear to move said slide bar.

14. In a crane bridge system having two or more pairs of runway tracks extending longitudinally of a building and crane bridges disposed for movement on said tracks, carrier tracks carried by said bridges, a carrier supported on said carrier tracks and movable thereon, a crossover for said carrier from the carrier tracks on one of said cane bridges to the carrier tracks on the other crane bridge, comprising a pair of swingable track sections pivotally carried at the end of one of the crane bridges, said sections arranged to be swung about their pivot within the perimeter of said bridge and to be unfolded in prolongation of said carrier tracks into engagement with the carrier tracks on the other crane bridge, means for swinging said swingable track section comprising a housing carried by the bridge and slideways carried by said housing, a slide bar reciprocably disposed in said slideways, connecting rods connecting said slide bar to said swingable sections, means to reciprocate said slide bar including a gear rack on the slide bar, a spur gear disposed in operative engagement with said gear rack and a motor for rotating said spur gear to move said slide bar in said housing, and interlocking means for locking said swingable track sections to the tracks of the other carrier when in their extended positions.

FRANK C. HARRIS. 

